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The state of North Carolina has collected $250 million in taxes and fees from sports bets since launching two years ago.
Gamblers in the state have wagered more than $13.2 billion in paid bets and more than $700 million in free or promotional wagers from eight licensed websites. Those bets have produced $1.5 billion in gross wagering revenue for the operators, according to the way North Carolina calculates it.
“That money goes to really good programs and good things in the state,” said former state Rep. Jason Saine, who led the multi-year effort in the state legislature.
WRAL, the local Raleigh Durham ABC affiliate, launched a documentary on the sports betting sector in the state on Wednesday.
“Sports betting has generated enormous revenue for North Carolina, but the money only tells part of the story,” said Cristin Severance, WRAL investigative reporter and documentary producer. “We wanted to look at the impact of sports betting on college athletes, young people and families.”
The documentary covers:
- How mobile sports betting quickly grew into a multi-billion-dollar industry in North Carolina
- The political debate and legislative process that led to legalization in the state
- The financial impact of sports betting revenue on state programs and college athletics
- Trends on problem gambling among young men and college students
- How individuals and families are affected by gambling addiction
- What’s ahead for sports betting from lawmakers, researchers and former professional athletes
You can watch below.
Well Represented in This Year's March Madness Tournament
Duke
North Carolina (UNC)
High Point
Queens
NC State also made it in by qualifying for the First Four.
They lost to Texas (68–66) and were eliminated right away.
Of the four teams in, Duke is a No. 1 seed in the No. 1 overall seed in the East.
The North Carolina Tar Heels come into Round One of the 2026 NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament as a No. 6 seed.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
